PNG arrest warrants set dangerous precedent, says O'Neill

PAPUA New Guinea's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill says a Supreme Court arrest warrant for his deputy prime minister and attorney-general has set a "dangerous precedent".

It's his first public statement since the potential executive-judicial crisis erupted on Thursday.

But he denies the incident that started the affair - the suspension of Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia on Thursday - has anything to do with his impending verdict in an ongoing constitutional battle over the legitimacy of the O'Neill government.

"(It is) the executive government's collective right to make national interest decisions - including decisions relating to members of the judiciary collectively or individually," Mr O'Neill said in a statement from Honolulu, where he is attending the APEC summit.

"The National Executive Council (NEC) should not be usurped by the threat of warrants of arrest for members of the NEC."
Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah announced the suspension of Sir Salamo on Thursday, pending an investigation into multiple matters, including alleged mismanagement of court funds, and contempt of court.

The court issued a contempt charge against Mr Namah and Attorney-General Allan Marat the next day.

AAP understands police have yet to arrest the pair.

Mr O'Neill denied Sir Salamo's suspension had anything to do with the upcoming Supreme Court decision on the constitutionality of his government and said the chief justice could still hand down his verdict on December 9.

He said the allegations against Sir Salamo had been brought before the previous government of Sir Michael Somare, but not been acted on.

"No one should link Sir Salamo's suspension with the Supreme Court proceedings into the legality and constitutionality of my election as Prime Minister and that of our government on August 2," he said.

"Both are separate matters altogether."

AAP

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